The 33 - The Chilean Miners' Rescue

I believe that the story of the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who spent sixty nine days underground could be named the story of the year. It is indeed a story of human resilience and perseverance, solidarity, hope kept alive and of a people determined to work together to keep 33 of their people alive, safe and well.

On August 5 this year 33 miners from Chile were trapped underground when a tunnel collapsed while working at the San Jose Mine located about 700 km north of Santiago. Mining is one of the main earners of foreign exchange for Chile and provides 40 percent of income for Chileans. So on August 5, while they were doing what Miners do, there was an explosion, the mine caved in and sent them underground. For the first 17 days no one knew if they were alive or dead. Families waited in hope and with faith never ceasing to pray. Then after much drilling and searching, a face surfaced on one of the devices and a note was sent subsequently telling the world that all 33 of them were alive and ok. A note the President, Sebastian Pinera kept with him for the entire time the miners were trapped underground. Hope soared and families waited with great anticipation while the government worked on a plan to get them out alive.

The rescue effort in and of itself was remarkably coordinated. Headed by the Minister of Mining, it involved hundred of rescue workers, some who are experienced miners, engineers and basically a wide variety of technical expertise. The NASA team from the United States played a significant role giving advice and sharing technical equipment all of which contributed to a mastermind of turning what could have been a disaster into probably the most remarkable, joyful, touching story of the year.

Now that the 33 are out, everything is not smooth sailing. Thankfully, except for two of the men, all of them are in very good health and at the time of writing most of them have been sent home. But the not so nice issues surround some of the men, their wives and their mistresses. It has come to light that about 5 of the men have more than one family. Some of the sweethearts (or second families) claim not to have known about the legitimate families and of course the wives did not know about the sweethearts. An expert consultant in relationship (man-woman) matters could tell from the first "hugs" out of the hole which of those wives had found out that their husbands have been having affairs. Then there is the matter of the pact that the men made while underground that they would evenly divide proceeds gained from any interviews done by anyone or a sub-group of them. Will this hold? or will some dipping into the cookie jar occur?

Another issue that needs to be carefully looked at and monitored is the psychological state of both the miners and their loved ones. The mothers, the sisters, wives and children who do not wish for their men to go back and work in the mines. No one can imagine what they went through, especially in the first 17 days when no one knew if they were alive, nor did the miners know that Chile had not given up on the possibility that they might be alive. The special bond and comradeship that was formed by the men while underground is what is going to keep them healthy. In other words, they have to keep the group active and alive and in doing so they have to help each other and their families as well. In maintaining the bonds formed, this will lessen the psychological deterrents that may arise as a result of the ordeal itself. Hopefully they will keep the pact so every can benefit.

The story is still unfolding, the President has closed the Mine saying no mining will be done there again. He has promised to improve the working and safety conditions of Miners in Chile through renewed and revived legislation. The younger members of the 33 can go back to school if they so desire. The men themselves have given thanks to God over and over and so has the President. The ordeal has united the country and has given its people a renewed hope and sense of pride.